25 by 2005 drive to give LDCs a chance

Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of UNICEF, launched the campaign at the conference of Education Ministers of African member States in the Tanzanian capital, Dar-es-Salaam on Tuesday, stating that “25 by 2005” is aimed at eliminating gender inequality in primary and secondary education in 25 countries, which are mostly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Carol Bellamy declared that “It is our commitment that no girl will be left behind as her country attempts to move forward” and warned that failure to achieve gender equality will be a threat to social and political progress. Delay will perpetuate “entrenched inequities” and will mean a lifetime of “poverty, dependence and unfulfilled possibility” for another generation.

UNICEF intends to increase enrolment rates, combat factors which prevent girls from going to school, such as disease and conflict and find resources to help governments of LDCs to provide educational accommodation and other support for the students. The 25 countries are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea Conakri, India, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Yemen and Zambia.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru